Road trip to Kanyakumari by any medium from any part of India been a riders dream in fact I have self-restrained and involved in waiting game for 12 months until I brought RE 500cc Classic Chrome Bullet. I have been living the fool's paradise the entire time assuming unplanned trip would be just fine. Fortunately, I am able to form like-minded and exuberant group of lads, passionate about motor cycle ride made the trip look easy and exciting. No wonder there were last-minute drop-outs, it is the extreme time of hot summer but I am steady as rock, tried to be confident and standout as an example to other riders. We gave our motor-rides to service the engine and turn to repairman for health checks. Course of action is to hit the trail at dawn and cover long distance with less stops before we hit mid-day sun; Following after long lunch break and good rest; resume driving on late afternoon and drive till late night, seems like a legit plan. We always make certain to have good rest at end of day to have efficacious next day for productive driving.
On D-Day We started-off our trip in early hours to cover good distance before we hit hot mid-day. First day driving gusto took us over 700 KMS, after a fine dinner in Chennai, we decided to hit the hay so found a nice beach and laid camping tent near Kovalam beach. Our Journey started on 2nd day, there were many ways to reach KanyaKumari but I choose coastal strip to reach no matter how bad the road is. I must confess, never thought roads were such neat in Tamilnadu. We first went to Mahabalipuram (Known as Mamallapuram) and payed visit to places like Shore temple, Pancha rathas and Arjuna Penance.
"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul – Kate Chopin"
Mahabalipuram Memorandum
SHORE TEMPLE (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, construction dated back to 8th century)
Mahabalipuram's Memorandum - PANCHA RATHAS (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, construction dated back to 7th century single rock-cut architecture and also called as Pandava Rathas)
Mahabalipuram's Memorandum - ARJUNA PENANCE (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, construction dated back to 7th century single rock-cut architecture and story depiction of how Arjuna received most powerful weapon Pasupastra).
DEVIKULAM Salt Mine - Somewhere on the way to Pondicherry
Pondicherry Memorandum
We drove on the edge of Bay of Bengal on East Coast road for 100 Kms to Pondicherry. We never felt a exhaust in fact, amazed by the feeling of new upcoming destination. Pondicherry (or Puducherry) comes under union territory of India and border to the land, a French colonial settlement and you will still see the beauty of french colonization foot prints in the town . You can find the Naval fleet and walking Navy people down the road. This is also famous for the floral and chic boutiques. As this is very close to Chennai this is a weekend get away for IT and modern world. Significantly, people like the promenade beaches and seaside pavement walk, its an another endowment from European architecture.
Places to visit French war memorial, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus church and many more. We have spent half day in Pondi literally explored majority of the area, bottom snap explains it. Lol! You can find it near backwaters.
Pondicherry's Memorandum - Rusty Fishing Boat near Backwaters
A Journey to Hindu's Holiest and Cultural Heritage - Rameswaram Memorandum
We left Pondicherry with loads of beautiful memories and we were just half way down to our destination and certainly we want to make this trip more adventurous, our next major stop is Rameshwaram. There were 3 ways to reach Rameshwaram and I chose the longest and narrow one and it covers the various towns and villages via NH32 East Coast Road. My fellow drivers thoroughly were enjoyed and I love the fact that I didn't made the wrong choice after all.
Bolt From The Blue
Though we believed, viewing the Kaynakumari will give immense pleasure never expected Rameshwaram to be more beautiful and amazing. We must credence the fact that there are more memories to share.
Pamban Railway Bridge - Dated to early 19th Century, it has the barges pass to let the ships to cross
We arrived the Rameshwaram in style and was able to capture the running train on Pamban bridge, paused ourselves to capture some moments. As we arrived in morning prepared the road-map for the next 24 hours and our drive through to places the importance of it and want to invest some time in roaming the areas.
Pic courtesy from http://roughguides.com/gallery
Other panoramic view-side of the Pamban bridge
During the beginning of the trip we thought of preparing the firewood food to make our trip experience more memorable. We made the whole establishment while returning from the Dhanushkodi (last land point of India).
We also brought camping tents to rest ourselves while we go, so we laid down for some time after the long swim in place where bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet. As you see in the side image we tried barbecue (Wild style) turns it overcooked outside and uncooked from inside. Probably due to huge fire we put on. And gave it couple of hours for the food to cook evenly. Though I can rate the food 6/10 but still we have the enough memories.
It was 6 o clock, we left Rameshwaram but had to stop one more time to feel the nature much closer. I saw this boating company hoarding and their services to carry visitors to sea. Although it was timed out for them somehow we managed to convince for a ride. It is worth every penny we put on to see Coral leaf and evening sunset. As a matter of fact I've seen love of nature in the eyes of an old man riding the visitors to middle of sea, doing the same old job since last 30 years and never felt bored of the picturesque.
Evening Sunset shot while we entering into sea on hired private boat to view the coral reef.
We begin again our journey to reach our destination which is 350 Kms away, It was the windy and cold evening and must cover whole distance because we don't want to miss the chance of Sun-Raise at 5:30 AM in the next day morning. All I see tiresome and less communication from the boys, it is Indeed they felt inner joy and unseen places. So Rameswaram is just Bolt From The Blue.
FINAL DESTINATION - KANYAKUMARI Memorandum
At last, we reached our destination with rush and gusto, we took a driving break for 2 hours since we started at Rameshwaram. As we entered the premises to Kanyakumari its not difficult to reach sunrise point. People from all over India visits to see it. As our trip in hot summer we get the less visitors everywhere we go.
Parked our vehicle outside the viewing point and walked towards the shore and It is a pleasant morning, rained a little and we are mad keen about the view. I myself switched off and tried not to think about any thoughts. At given sunrise time, we are as keen as mustard and when seeing the things, a long running wish is justified.
KANYAKUMARI SUNRAISE shot
We are back from sunrise point and everyone needed a hot bath and long rest as we driving for the whole night. After fine lunch we visited the local tourist places that all we can see like Vivekananda rock, a place where two seas (BayOfBengal & Arabian) and Indian Ocean met.
Fusion of some of the important pics
KANYAKUMARI SUNSET shot
Kanyakumari has also sunset point and interestingly, Sunset is more visible and precise. Many incidents, meeting new people and facing diverse cultures in south of India the whole journey is profound and inexpressible.
From Hyderabad to kanyakumari we drove nearly 1600 Kms and journey was mostly down the coastal line. We have followed some disciple in driving to reach destination and back to home safely and stayed hydrated all the time as this road trip is in Hot mid Indian summer. Trip was planned in way to have several destination points and while returning it is just continuous ride back home. (We took a different short route maybe 100Kms less and a National highway) and the whole round trip was 3000 Kms.
